Warkworth 8 Miler Review

[ShoppinShannon]

THAT WAS AN AWESOME RUN!
I had so much fun.  Once we picked up Cathy in Wooler, she took us (Adam, Heather and Jane) on a scenic ride to Warkworth.  It is real pretty guys.
Once we found the front door of the community center (which was hard to do) we headed up the stairs and picked up our gear.  Greeted by a real friendly bunch, they gave us our goods.  But first we had to fix our ages....I was listed as being 41 and I'm not sure what Cathy was listed as, but that had to change right quick, cause I'm no where near that age right?....
So, anyways, we headed out to the parking lot and found our way to the start, oh ya, Jane was garnished with a beautiful birthday ribbon that she had to wear for the race.  lol..too cute.
Well the gun went off...no thats not right.  The squeeky horn went "hoooonked" and we were off.  I headed out like a bolt of , well maybe not like lightning, but you get the idea. I looked at Heather and said...uhh...I have no idea what this course is like, maybe I'll just run it instead....she seemed okay with that thought as well and we began a comfortable pace.  Jane and Cathy were soon out of our sights.
The course is beautiful.  There was a babbling brook on the left, which ran through the town.  The trails were un-groomed like Batawa, but wide enough for 2-3 people.
A few water hazards, but we could still get around them without getting soaked.  Heather (God love her for staying with me) and I were lucky enough to have the race coordinator with us.  His name is Brice and he is 67?  I thought I heard older.  We really got to know him and at first we thought we were annoying him with our babbling, as it turned out he was amused with us, our gear and how sociable we were.  We had a lot of laughs and he encouraged us at the last couple of K's to catch up to the young girl ahead of us...so, we picked up the pace and really pushed it....(okay, well for me...pushed it)lol
Once we caught up to her, Heather says, Hi, we just wanted run with you.  She says, are we close to the finish, and Brice says yes, and points where it is.  Then she says, do you mind if I sprint to the end?   With that, she shot off like a bullet and was gone.
I thought that was amusing, and Heather thought that was enough inspiration for us to sprint to the end.  It was a hard push but I made it!!!  We headed upstairs for the awards and yummy food.  We all placed in our age categories and got really cool medals.  Plus we all got prizes.
I would highly recommend this race for everyone.  It was challenging.  It was breathtaking and the volunteers were wonderful.  One minus?.No food on the trails..?pout?.   
A special thank you to Heather for running with me, for Adam the photographer extraordinaire, Cathy our tour guide and Jane, the birthday girl!

[Cathy]

Well Shannon, I certainly couldn't agree more.  It was a really lovely run.  The trails were fairly easy to follow and even though leaf covered didn't have much tripping/stumbling material on it.  It was really a treat to do this run (well most of the way) with Jane celebrating her 50th.  It was a hands down pleasure to finish behind her. 

I do believe that we all had an exceptional time and I would certainly do this race again next year.  The setting was beautiful, the people were very friendly, the course was well marshalled, (with the exception of the one that was smoking and pointing with her smoke blowing up towards the runners)    , the food was great and the medals as well as the prizes were unbelievable.  I would tell anyone to try this race.  I know they would really enjoy themselves.

Thanks all for coming with me and thanks Adam for shooting us again at another event.  I don't think that you had much problem this one picking us out of the crowd.   
 

[Jane]

I agree with both you girls.  It was a great race -- and not just because it was on my birthday!     The race organizers were very friendly and we mostly had no problem finding our way.  Lots of marshalls, just one or two spots that could be a bit better indicated, and which the organizers were made aware of.  Leave it to Fred to get a bit lost (you don't have a brother named Dave, do you?)   

This must be the year for bright t-shirts, as they are flourescent green.  Quite nice, even if they are bright.  I am sure the organizers would have loved to have more runners.  If you look at the photos on Adam's website, you will see that for ONCE, we got to be right at the start line!!  By the way, Heather got me my own personal timing chip for my birthday!!  I put it on and then found out that they didn't have them for this race (I don't think you would need them much for that few participants) but I kept mine on, for good luck -- oh, and to play with the minds of the other runners!     I feel like an elite runner, now that I have my own personal timing chip!  No more messing with that little plastic tie on the running shoe lace either, as it goes around my ankle!   

There were lots of big puddles on the trail, but nothing you couldn't run around.  It was fun to be on the roads and then onto the trails, back onto the roads and then back onto the trails.  Made it interesting.  I think it relieved the boredom for the great big cow that we had to run by too.  I am sure he/she was wondering what exactly the foolish humans were doing.  The only part I really didn't like was the road kill splattered all over one dirt road near the end.     OK, that was NOT appetizing. 

The organizers put a lot of effort into the run.  They had sponsors from 90% of their downtown businesses.  We all got door prizes!!  We can't wait to go back to Warkworth to spend our gift certificates!  They had lots of food afterwards too.  The cookies were delicious!!  Shannon, we'll have to fill them in on the requirement for candy and salty food at the aid stations. 

As almost everyone already knows, we swept the medals.  Well, I think almost everyone there got a medal.  Despite the fact that the race application said that the first place in each age group would get a medal, first through third got them!!   Stealing from Adam's website, here is the group with our hardware:



This is definitely one for our trail runners to put on their race calendar for next year! (It should be Oct 20). 

By the way, the rest of the race photos are here on Adam's site:  http://www.adampaulin.ca/Photos/main.php?g2_itemId=11326&g2_page=1

[Cathy]

Too bad it wasn't a tech shirt that we got.  We will all have to spring for a new shirt for Fred.  I hope he won't mind me saying so but he could use some shirts with less cotton in them.  He might even improve on his times..... Like he needs to.

You know Jane, I wonder if the town colour this year was that brilliant green.  The bags we got with our gift certificate was that same colour as was the brochure that they put in our race kit.  Was certainly a nice shirt.  I am getting to really like that colour.

[Cathy]

Boy, we certainly looked cool in that picture sporting our hand crafted medals and goodie bags.

[Derek]

Like the reports ladies. Congrats to the winners those were  nice awards. I liked the pictures looks like all of you had a blast good job again Adam with the pictures. Maybe I might come down to that race next year I liked  that kind of run road and trail mix in. I had a great time at the party. I'm sure glad that we can make it to the party. Bye for now see you all at the fatass next month. Once again WTG winners and Jane winning your new age group. Derek.     

[ShoppinShannon]

I have a bag in my van with a green warkworth shirt...Heather or Jane's??
I asked Cathy and she said she got's her's.  There was also a bottle of ?? in a bag.  I'll bring it Tuesday

[Jane]

We'll check --     I haven't had time to even take the stuff out of the bag....  A bottle of something???  Is it alcoholic???   

Thanks Derek!  I am looking forward to seeing you again on the Fat Ass Weekend!!

[Cathy]

Oh, wait a minute.  Wasn't this stuff all green?????????




It isn't easy being green.

[Jane]

 

[sweetsue]

Great reports, sounds like a good race, sorry I missed it.  Hopefully Bill will be around next year and I can do it next year.

Susan

P.S. great pictures Adam, it is always nice to see them

[The Moose]

Sounds like I should have gone there instead.

Great report.

Mike